Launched in January 2021 in partnership with the SC Commission for Minority Affairs, Moms Clean Air Force and Audubon South Carolina, this academy targets faith leaders in across the state of South Carolina. Topics build a foundational understanding of policy, politics and advocacy. Participants learn about elected offices, advocacy basics, and participate in practical application in areas such as clean energy, conservation, environmental justice, and social justice. The program aims to empower people of faith and conscience to build awareness in their respective communities, better understand major state and federal policies, and incite collective action. In addition to the virtual training, participants receive an advocacy toolkit and are invited to participate in an Audubon hosted bird walk with legislators and a National advocacy event. Testament to the power of the faith community as a catalyst for social justice is the work of Civic Engagement Academy graduate LaRahna Hughes. In recent months LaRahna has worked with elected officials, businesses and nonprofit partners to build a community faith-led partnership that finds solutions to food and housing insecurity for marginalized community members. “I was first attracted to the idea of a faith leaders oriented Civic Engagement Academy because it is perfectly aligned with my philosophy of community engagement” she commented. “I believe in the unique ability of the faith community to address social and environmental injustices.” When asked what her favorite part of the Academy was, Hughes replied: “It was very encouraging to be in a class with like minded individuals with similar values and principles. The Civic Engagement Academy helped connect me to a network of faith leaders committed to social and environmental justice.”